Holder construction



y 23, 1963 H. CERNIAK 3,098,278

HOLDER CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 16, 1961 J28 5 1 26 m I I I .38 HIM "'h i I N V EN TOR. iem g L. Cemrz'ak 0AM, zz/ea 24 1 8 izj United States Patent 3,098,278 HOLDER QONSTRUCTION Henry L. Ccrniak, Westchester, Ill., assignor to Wilbert W. Haase Co., Broadview, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Oct. 16, 1961, Ser. No. 145,230 8 Claims. (Ci. 25-130) This invention relates to an improved clevis holder, and more particularly pertains to a holder construction particularly adapted for use in the formation of burial vaults having projecting lugs anchored in the floor thereof.

In the formation of burial vaults comprising concrete box-like containers for holding a casket, the bases of four projecting casket-supporting lugs are embedded in the four corner portions of the vault floor. The lugs have apertured portions projecting above the floor surface, which portions facilitate initial vault formation. In addition, the lugs space the casket from the vault floor whereby ropes used to lower the casket into the vault may be withdrawn. Thus ropes may supportably engage the casket and following complete lowering into the vault, one end of each rope may be released and both ropes retrieved by pulling on the retained rope portions without the necessity for anyone descending into the vault. Since the casket is disposed in spaced relationship with the vault floor by means of the lugs, the casket in no way interferes with the rope functions.

Although the utility of vault lugs has long been appre ciated, the same have presented certain diificulties in the course of molding the vaults. The molding of vaults is generally accomplished by employing a form comprising an inner shell or core and an outer shell which define a vault cavity into which a hardenable, fluid mixture is poured. The box-like vault is normally formed in an inverted position with the floor uppermost. The lugs to be anchored in the vault floor traverse slotted floorforming portions of the vault core so as to partially project into the vault-defining form cavity. Thus, base portions of the lugs are disposed in the vault-defining cavity, which portions will become embedded in the molded vault floor, and apertured lug portions are disposed exteriorly of the cavity.

In accordance with prior practice, spaced plates adapted to snugly receive a lug therebetween and having tapered aligned apertures traversing the same were securedto the core floor-forming surface. The spaced plates were afiixed to the core surface disposed outwardly of the cavity and comprised the means for maintaining the lugs in proper disposition, with the assistance of tapered pins insertable in said plates, prior to pouring of the concrete.

Following complete formation of the vault, a workman had to enter the core and remove the pins retaining the lugs in interlocked relationship with the lug-supporting plates. Only after the manual pin removal could the form core and attached plates be disassembled from the molded vault and the lugs anchored therein.

It is an object of this invention to dispense with the previous manual removal of locking pins by providing a novel clevis holder for the vault lugs which may be readily and automatically disengaged from the vaultengaged lugs with the removal of the form core from the cast vault.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel clevis holder for retaining engaged lugs in desired fixed position which is simple in construction, composed of a minimum number of parts and inexpensive to manufacture.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a novel holder construction particularly adapted for use in vault forms which, although of sturdy construction,

3,8,Z78 Patented July 23, 1963 may be rapidly replaced when necessary in a minimum amount of time and with a minimum of effort.

The above and other objects of this invention will become more apparent from the following description when read in the light of the accompanying drawing and appended claims.

In one embodiment of this invention a clevis having a main body of U-shaped cross-sectional configuration is provided. The main body has apertured walls integrally formed with outwardly-extending flange portions disposed substantially normal to the body walls. A depending base portion connected to the end of one of said flange portions is disposed substantially parallel to said body walls in alignment with the wall apertures. A locking ball is partially disposed in both of the clevis apertured walls. The aperture of at least one of the body walls has insufficient cross-sectional dimensions to permit passage therethrough of the locking ball. A coil spring having an end mounted on said base portion may then continuously urge the ball into the apertures, thereby spanning the wall interval. An apertured member, such as a burial vault floor lug, may readily engage and subsequently become disengaged from said clevis holder, as will hereinafter be explained in greater detail.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference will now be made to the drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a form employed in the formation of a burial vault illustrating two holder members formed in accordance with the teaching of this invention secured to a floor-forming portion of the form core;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of a burial vault illustrating a casket member in elevation disposed therein;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a burial vault illustrating four casket-supporting lugs anchored in the corner portions of the vault floor;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, illustrated on an enlarged scale, of one form of holder member provided by this invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the holder member of FIG. 4 secured to a portion of the form core illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an apertured lug having an enlarged base adapted to interlock with the holder of FIGS. 4 and 5.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, a burial vault form comprising an outer shell 10, inner wall portions 12 and floor-forming portion 14 are illustrated in assembled relationship defining a vault cavity in which a hardenable material, such as concrete 16, has been poured.

In the normal course of manufacturing burial vaults, inner core portions such as illustrated walls 12 and floorforming portion 14 supported on flanges 12a of the core walls, are assembled within an overlying shell, suchas shell 10. Shell llil has an enlarged opening 18 disposed therein, through which hardenable material may enter into the form cavity. After hardenable material is poured into the cavity defined by the form portions, the outer shell may be removed by a lifting crane which may ongage the opposed trunnions 20 attached to shell it To facilitate disengagement of the inner form portions, the walls 12 may be formed in inwardly-collapsible sections. Molding strip 22 illustrated in FIG. 1 may be integrally formed with a bottom portion of the collapsible walls 12. Thus, upon inwardly moving wall portions 12, attached mold strips 22 may simultaneously move inwardly, simultaneously disengaging from the hardened material 16.

It is the practice in the casting of burial vaults, such as vault 24 illustrated in FIG. 3, to anchor lug members in the corners of the vault floor, such as floor 26 of the vault 24, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3. It will be noted from FIG. 3 that lugs 28 are preferably uniformly disposed relative to the vault walls thereby enabling a casket, such as casket 30 illustrated in FIG. 2, to be similarly uniformly supported when the same is disposed in the vault 24. It is seen from FIG. 2 that by projecting above vault floor 26, the lugs 28, if apertured such as in the manner illustrated in FIG. 6, may have supporting members passed through opposed parallel pairs of the lugs facilitating handling and transporting of the vault; the lugs may also engage hooks or other equivalent means of engagement. FIG. 2 also illustrates a cover 24a which is normally placed atop the vault after the casket is placed therein.

Since the casket is spaced above the vault floor by means of lugs 28, it does not interfere with any casketlowering rope members. Accordingly, the ropes may be readily removed from engagement with the casket once the casket has been lowered into the vault by merely dropping one end of each rope and retrieving the same by means of the retained rope ends.

The lugs 28 are, therefore, seen to comprise a convenient means facilitating handling of the burial vault prior to use thereof and a means facilitating withdrawal of supporting ropes after the casket is lowered into the vault. The lugs 28, although a small, simple structural component of the vault, facilitate vault formation, subsequent handling thereof, and casket insertion therein.

FIG. 6 comprises an enlarged perspective view of one of the lugs 23 illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3. Each lug has an opening 32 disposed in a distal portion which is of sufficient size to readily permit passage thereth-rough of a rope member or hook, such as are ordinarily employed in moving burial vaults or lowering the same into the ground or other places of confinement.

In addition, lug 28 has an enlarged planar base portion 34 disposed at substantially right angles to vertical projecting portion 36 in which opening 32 is formed. Base 34 assures secure embedment of the lower lug portion within the burial vault floor in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In order to properly embed base portion 34 of lug 28 in a burial vault floor, the base portion should be disposed in a horizontal position in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1 prior to pouring of the concrete into the formed cavity defined by the main inner core components and the outer shell 10. In accordance with prior art methods lug members are positioned in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1 prior to pouring of the concrete. However, such positioning requires the use of a plate-pin combination necessitating manual removal of the pins after the vault has been formed in the manner previously described.

The above-described plate-pin engagement is completely eliminated when clevis holder 38, illustrated in FIG. 4, is employed as a means for maintaining lug members in desired relationship prior to pouring of the fluid concrete or other hardenable material. Each clevis holder 38 comprises a main body portion having opposed parallel walls 40 joined at one end portion by a bight 42. The opposed end portions of the wall 40 are integrally formed with outwardly extending flange portions 44 disposed substantially normal to the planes of the walls 40.

Depending at substantially right angles from the terminal edge of one holder flange portion 44 is a base portion 46 having a raised lip 48. It is the function of lip 48 to serve as a mounting base for a coil spring 50, which is prevented from laterally moving relative to base portion 46 by means of the lip. The end of spring 50 oppositely disposed to the end mounted on lip 43 engages a locking ball 52 which is resiliently urged into apertures 54 and 56 of the holder wall portions 48. It is apparent from FIG. 4 that at least one of the latter apertures should be of insufficient cross-sectional area to permit passage therethrough of locking ball 52. Preferably the opening adjacent the spring is insufficient in cross-sectional area to permit passage of the locking ball, thereby preventing possible play between the ball and the opening, as illustrated. Normally both openings are smaller than the ball cross section and of such dimension that the ball seats in the wall peripheral portions defining the two apertures.

Thus, if an apertured plate member, sufficiently thin to enter between opposed walls 40 of the holder 38, is inserted therein, and if the aperture therein is able to be traversed by a portion of locking ball 52, such plate member will be retained in interlocked relationship with the illustrated holder.

Also, should it be desired to remove such apertured plate, an axial thrust away from holder bight portion 42 imparted to the interlocked plate will force locking ball 52 to withdraw from the holder wall apertures, providing clearance and enabling the apertured plate to be removed from engagement with holder 38.

In the normal course of use, clevis holder 38 is secured to a core member surface portion disposed away from a floor cavity. The holder is secured to the core so that the inter-wall interval is disposed in alignment with slots, such as slot 58 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, through which the lug support portions 36 pass. To prevent passage of excess fluid hardenable material through the slots 58, a resilient gasket 59 may be disposed about the slot periphery and secured to core portion 14 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5. The vault floor lugs 28 may be readily disposed in the desired position illustrated in FIG. 1 prior to pouring of the concrete.

After the concrete has set, no manual operation is necessary for unlocking the engagement between the lugs and the clevis holder 38. All that need be done is to remove the core portion 14 from the cast vault 24. During such movement, locking ball 52 of each clevis holder will be forced to withdraw, allowing a lug to become disengaged therefrom.

It is most apparent from FIG. 1 that the thickness of lu portion 36 is slightly less than the interval between holder wall portions 40. The lug will be disposed substantially in the vertical position in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1 prior to pouring the hardenable composition into the shell opening 18 if the distal end of the lug apertured portion rests on the holder bight when the locking ball 52 traverses the lug aperture 32.

It is apparent, therefore, that a novel clevis holder construction has been provided which is particularly adapted for use in the formation of burial vaults in which casketsupporting lugs are anchored in the vault floor. The above-described holder construction is simple, inexpensive to manufacture and substantially trouble-free.

It will he noted from FIG. 5 that the holder may be readily secured to a vault 4 by means of screws 64 or equivalent securing means; thus, the illustrated holder members may be readily replaced when necessary.

It is believed apparent that certain changes may be made in the clevis construction described and the resulting constructions will remain within the ambit of the invention disclosed; accordingly, this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

.1. In a holder of the type described, a U-shaped main body having opposed apertured walls, said walls being joined by a connecting bight, a flange portion formed integrally with and disposed outwardly at substantially right angles to an end portion of one of said wall portions, a base portion connected to said flange portion disposed substantially parallel to said wall portions, a raised lip portion formed on the base portion surface disposed toward said wall apertures and in substantial alignment therewith, a coil spring mounted on said base portion raised lip, ball means partially disposed in both apertures of said wall portions, at least one of said apertures being of insufficient cross-sectional dimensions to permit passage of said ball therethrough, one end limit of said coil spring urging said ball means into said wall apertures; said base portion raised lip preventing lateral movement of said spring relative to said base.

'2. The holder of claim 1 in combination with apertured lug means adapted to be snugly received between said holder walls, the lug aperture being so located relative to the terminal end thereof whereby said aperture may be traversed by said ball means while said lug terminal end rests on said holder bight.

i3. In a molding form for the formation of burial vaults having apertured, casket-supporting lugs anchored in the floor thereof; said form having an apertured, lug-traversed inner core and an outer shell for forming a vault cavity into which a hardenable material may be poured, the improvement comprising a plurality of clevis holders, each of said clevis holders having opposed apertured parallel walls joined by a connecting bight; said clevis holders being adapted to be secured to the exterior surface of an apertured floor-defining portion of the form core, a ball means disposed in both holder wall apertures, at least one of said wall apertures being insufficient in size to permit passage of said ball means therethrough, resilient means in operative engagement with said ball means whereby said ball means is resiliently urged into said holder wall apertures, and lug means including an end portion having an aperture therein, said lug means being receivable between the said opposed apertured parallel walls of each of said holders, and the said aperture in the said end portion of said lug means being of sufiicient size to permit the ball portion normally disposed between said holder walls to pass therethrough.

4. In a molding form for the formation of burial vaults having apertured, casket-supporting lugs anchored in the floor thereof, and having an apertured lug-traversed inner core and an outer shell for forming a vault cavity into which a hardenable material may be poured, the improvement comprising a plurality of clevis holders, each of said clevis holders having opposed apertured parallel walls joined by a connecting bight; said clevis holders being adapted to be secured to the exterior surface of an apertured floor-defining portion of the form inner core, a ball means disposed in both holder wall apertures, at least one of said wall apertures being insuflicient in size to permit passage of said ball means therethrough, a holder connecting portion extending outwardly from the end portion of one of said holder walls at substantially right angles thereto, a terminal base portion depending from said connecting portion and disposed substantially parallel to said holder wall portions, resilient means engaging said terminal base portion at one end limit and resiliently urging said ball means into said holder wall apertures at the opposed end limit thereof, and lug means having an apertured end portion adapted to be received between said holder walls, the lug aperture being of suflicient size to permit the ball portion normally disposed between said holder walls to pass therethrough when the end of said lug engages said holder bight.

5. In a molding form for the formation of burial vaults having apertured, casket-supporting lugs anchored in the floor thereof; said molding form having an apertured lug-traversed inner core and an outer shell for forming a Vault cavity into which a hardenable material may be poured, the improvement comprising a plurality of clevis holders, each of said clevis holders having opposed apertured parallel walls joined by a connecting bight; said holder being adapted to be secured to the exterior surface of an apertured floor-defining portion of the form core, a

ball means disposed in both holder wall apertures, at least one of said wall apertures being insulficient in size to permit passage of said ball means therethrough, a holder extension formed integrally with one of said holder walls, said extension having a terminal portion disposed in substantial alignment with said wall apertures, resilient means engaging said extension terminal portion at one end limit and resiliently urging said ball means into said holder wall apertures at the opposed end limit thereof, and lug means having an apertured end portion adapted to be snugly received between said holder walls, said lug aperture being of sufficient size to permit the ball portions normally disposed between said holder walls to pass therethrough when the end of said lug engages said holder bight.

6. In an article of the character described, a U-shaped main body member including opposed walls each having an aperture therein, said main body member including a bight portion interconnecting the said walls at one end thereof, one of said walls having a flange portion extending therefrom at the end of the said main body member opposite the end thereof at which the said bight portion is arranged, projecting means connected to said flange portion and extending substantially parallel to the said walls of the said main body member, resilient means mounted on the said projecting means, a ball member partially disposed in both of the said apertures in said wall portions of the said main body member, at least one of said apertures being of insufficient cross-sectional dimension to permit passage of said ball member therethrough, one end limit of said resilient means engaging said ball member whereby said ball member is resiliently urged into said apertures.

7. In an article of the character described, a U-shaped main body member including opposed walls each having an aperture therein, said main body member including a bight portion interconnecting the said walls at one end thereof, one of said walls having a flange portion extending therefrom at the end of the said main body member opposite the end thereof at which the said bight portion is arranged, projecting means connected to said flange portion and extending substantially parallel to the said walls of the said main body member, resilient means having an end portion biased against said projecting means, a ball member partially disposed in both of the apertures in the said wall portions of the said main body member, at least one of said apertures being of insufiicient crosssectional dimension to permit passage of said ball member therethrough, one end limit of said resilient means engaging said ball member whereby said ball member is resiliently urged into said apertures.

8. An article as described in claim 6 in which the said resilient means comprises a coil spring, a raised annular lip formed on said projecting means and disposed within one end portion of said coil spring whereby lateral movement or" said coil spring relative to said projecting means is prevented.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,272,281 McCord July 9, 1918 1,692,366 Bean Nov. 20, 1928 2,038,835 Frost Apr. 28, 1936 2,274,236 Hopkins Feb. 24, 1942 2,894,307 Flogan et al. July 14, 1959 2,903,277 Mitchell Sept. 15, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 395,114 Great Britain July 13, 1933 244,964 Switzerland June 16, 1947 

1. IN A HOLDER OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED, A U-SHAPED MAIN BODY HAVING OPPOSED APERTURED WALLS, SAID WALLS BEING JOINED BY A CONNECTING BIGHT, A FLANGE PORTION FORMED INTEGRALLY WITH AND DISPOSED OUTWARDLY AT SUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT ANGLES TO AN END PORTION OF ONE OF SAID WALL PORTIONS, A BASE PORTION CONNECTED TO SAID FLANGE PORTION DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID WALL PORTIONS, A RAISED LIP PORTION FORMED ON THE BASE PORTION SURFACE DISPOSED TOWARD SAID WALL APERTURES AND IN SUBSTANTIAL ALIGNMENT THEREWITH, A COIL SPRING MOUNTED ON SAID BASE PORTION RAISED LIP, BALL MEANS PARTIALLY DISPOSED IN BOTH APERTURES OF SAID WALL PORTIONS, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID APERTURES BEING OF INSUFFICIENT CROSS-SECTIONAL DIMENSIONS TO PERMIT PASSAGE OF SAID BALL THERETHROUGH, ONE END LIMIT OF SAID COIL SPRING URGING SAID BALL MEANS INTO SAID WALL APERTURES; SAID BASE PORTION RAISED LIP PREVENTING LATERAL MOVEMENT OF SAID SPRING RELATIVE TO SAID BASE. 